Balance diaphragm regulator valve



Dec. 25, 1962 R. A. FISCHER 3,070,108

BALANCE DIAPHRAGM REGULATOR VALVE Filed Aug. l, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR: P/C/ARD A. FISCHER,

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De@ 25, 1962 R. A. FISCHER 3,070,108

BALANCE DIAPHRAGM REGULATOR VALVE Filed Aug. 1, 1960 46 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BYLIMM A Homey.

Patented Elec. 25, '1952 3,070,108 BALANCE DlAPHRAGM REGULATOR VALVE Richard A. Fischer, Los Angeles, Calif., assigner to The Garrett Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Aug. 1, 1966, Ser. No. 46,589 1l) Claims. (Cl. 137-64) This invention relates generally to devices for automatically regulating lllow of fluid and rnore particularly to devices that regulate the ow of lluid 'from a high pressure source to a point of demand or use.

The simplicity and positiveness of the operation of the invention makes it particularly well adapted for use in respiratory devices, pressure regulators, or other similar types of low control valves, but it is to be understood that the utility of the invention is not limited thereto.

vOne of the objects of the present invention is to provide a How regulator of the type referred to that is particularly well suited to installations where inlet lluids from a high pressure source must be controlled.

A further object of the invention is to provide a ow regulator of the type referred to having a `valve comprising llexible members proportioned and arranged so that the 'forces created by the hivh pressure inlet fluid are balanced.

A still [further object of the invention is to provide a ow regulator that is operated by relatively slight pressure variations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ilow regulator having a simple means of effecting Zero leakage.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a flow regulator whose component parts do not require critical tolerances or tits thus contributing to and satisfying the additional objects or" minimum machining, rapid production and low cost.

Other and further objects ot the present invention will become apparent from the disclosures in the following detailed speci'cation, appended claims, and accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view taken centrally through a respiratory device embodying one vform of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE l but illustrating the respiratory device of FIGURE 1 in the position assumed during inhalation;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional iew of a respiratory device of the type shown in FIGURE l but illustrating a modied yform of exhalation valve;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view tai-ken centrally through a pressure regulator showing another form of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals identify similar parts throughout, the invention is illustrated in FIGURE l and FIGURE 2 of the drawings in the form of a respiratory ydevice having a body and a cap 11. A respiration responsive movable lwall indicated generally at `12 is secured between the body and the cap in the manner hereinafter described to provide a chamber 1d within the body 1t) and a chamber 15 within the cap 11.

The respiratory device is adapted for use in conjunction with a face mask or a suitable mouthpiece, not shown, and the chamber 14 communicates with such point of use by means of a conduit 16 secured to an outlet 17' formed in the body 10. ln the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 2, charnber communicates lwith the ambient i'luid medium which is admitted to the interior of the chamber through spaced radial openings 18 provided in the cap 11.

The respiration responsive movable wall 12 includes La an upper plate Ztl, a central plate 21, and a lower plate 22 secured together by fastening means such as rivets, not shown. The inner periphery or central portion or" a diaphragm 24 is retained between the plates 2li and 21 and the central portion of a diaphragm 25 is similarly retained between the plates 21 and 22. The outer periphery of the diaphragm 24 is clamped between the wall of the cap 11 and an annular ring 27 by suitsl le fastening elements, not shown, and the same or similar fastening elements may be utilized to clamp the outer periphery of diaphragm 25 between the annular ring 27 and the wall of the body 1t). Between the plates and the annular ring 27, the diaphragms 24 and 2 respectively have oppositely extending arcuate convolutions 29 and 39 Aforming a chamber 31 around the periphery of the movable wall 12.

The chamber 31 is connected with a supply of breathable gas such as compressed air or oxygen, not shown, by means of a conduit 313 secured to an inlet 5d formed in the annular ring 27. The arcuate convolutions 2i and 3) are made equal in area so that the forces of the high pressure inlet supply acting on the convolutions are balanced. When the Awall 12 moves in response to a pressure diferential acting across the wall, the convolutions roll on the inner walls of the body and the cap 11, and the outer perimeters of the plates 2d and An exhalation valve indicated generally at 355 is positioned in the approximate center or" the movable wall 12 by means of a pin 36 which slides freely in a drilling in the movable wall. The exhalation valve 35 includes a valve member 3T adapted to normally esclude a plurality of apertures 3S arranged in spaced radial relationship about the pin 36. A spring 3E is positioned about the pin 36 and co-acts between the plate 22 and the head of the pin to urge the valve member 37 in a closing direction.

A plurality of passages itl formed in plate 2 2 connect chamber 31 with the chamber 1d. As shown 'in FlG- URE 1, the ends 41 of the passages lil are occluded by the arcuate convolution Si) of the diaphragm 25 when the pressures on the opposite sides of the movable wall 12 are balanced, the high pressure gas in chamber 31 holding the convolution 3 in sealing engagement with the ends 41 of the passages dll.

In use, inhalation will produce a reduction in the pressure within the chamber 14, causing the movable wall 12 to move toward the chamber 14, and the convolution 30 will roll on the plate 22 and uncover the ends 41 of the passages 40, as shown in FIGURE 2. The breathable gas then will flow from the source through the chamber 31 and passages 4t) into chamber 14, and thence through the conduit 16 to the point of use. Upon eX- halation, the exhalation products will be carried through conduit 16 to the chamber 14 and pressure in chamber 14 will increase causing the movable wall 12 to move upwardly so that the convolution 3l? of the diaphragm 25 will roll on the plate 22 and again seal the ends 41 of the passages 49. When the pressure within chamber 14 is increased above the pressure of the ambient tluid in chamber 15, the movable wall 12 will seat against a stop (not shown) and the pressure acting on the underside of the valve member 37 will move the valve member to permit a flow of exhalation products from the chamber 14 through the apertures 38 into the chamber 15 and thence out into the surrounding fluid medium through the openings 18. When the pressures in chamber 14 and chamber 15 are equalized the spring 39 will move the exhalation valve member 37 downwardly to cover the apertures 38 and the movable wall 12 will be centrally positioned as shown in FIGURE 1. The inhalation-exhalation cycle may then be repeated until the supply of breathable gas is expended.

Adjustable means comprising a spring 43 disposed in chamber 14 between the lower side of the movable wall i12 and the inner wail of the body Ml, and a spring 44 disposed in chamber i between the upper side of the movable wall i2 and a spring retainer i5 are provided to center the movable wall when the pressures on the opposite sides thereof are equalized. If desired, the spring retainer $5 may be positioned so that a load is applied to one side of the movable wall and a screw 46 and a lock nut 47 are provided to maintain the retainer 45 in adjusted position.

The respiratory device illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawings is identical to the respiratory device shown in FGURE l except for the exhalation valve. The modilied form of the exhalation valve in FIGURE 3 cornprises a plurality of passageways 50 formed in the movable wall I2 and adapted to conduct Huid from chamber le to chamber i5 as hereinafter noted. The ends 5l of the passageways Sil communicate at all times with the chamber llwhile the ends 52 of the passageways are occluded and sealed by the arcuate convolution 29 when the pressures on the opposite sides of the movable wall l2 are balanced or when the movable Wall 12 is positioned as shown in FIGURE 2 in response to inhalation.

In operation, when the pressures on the opposite sides of the movable wall l2 in FIGURE 3 are balanced, the ends 52 of the passageways d@ are occluded by the arcuate convolution 29 and, simultaneously, the ends 41 of the passages 4t) are occluded by the arcuate convolution 3-0 of the diaphragm 24, the high pressure fluid in the chamber 31 holding the convolutions in sealing engagement with the above noted ends 4l and 52. Inhalation will produce a reduction in the pressure within the chamber ld and cause the movable Wall 12 to move downwardly toward the chamber I4. As the movable wall moves in the downwardly direction, the convolution 29 will continue to seal off the ends 52 of the passageways 5) but the convolution 3) will roll on the plate 22 and uncover the ends 4l of the passages di). The breathable gas will then ow from the source through the chamber 3l and passages 4% into chamber 14, and thence through the conduit i6 to the point of use.

Upon exhaiation, the exhalation products will be carried through conduit I6 to the chamber 14 and pressure in chamber 14 will increase causing the movable wall I2 to move in the upwardly direction. When the pressures on opposite sides of the movable wall 12 are equal, the ends 41 of the passages 40 will be occluded by the convolution 3? `and the ends 52 of the passageways 50 will be occluded by the convolution 29, Thus during this phase of operation there will be no flow through either the passages itl or the passageways 5t).

As the exhalation continues the pressure Within the chamber 14 will continue to increase. When the pressure within the chamber i4 exceeds the pressure of the ambient uid in the chamber 15 the movable wall 12 will be moved toward the chamber I5 and the convolution 29 will uncover the ends 52 of the passageways 50 to permit ow of the exhalation products from the chamber 14 through the passageways 5i) into the chamber 15 and thence out into the surrounding fluid medium through the openings 18.

During this phase of the operation the convolution 30 will seal off the ends 4l of the passages 40 and prevent flow of the pressurized gas therethrough. The inhalation-exhalation cycle may then be repeated until the supply oi breathable gas is expended.

FIGURE 4 shows a modicd form of the invention embodied in a device such as a pressure regulator. In this form of the invention there is no exhalation valve and the chamber l5, rather than communicating with the ambient atmosphere through a plurality of holes disposed in the cap il, is connected with a regulated reference pressure, not shown, by means of a conduit 60 secured to an outlet 61 formed in the cap Il. The conduit 33 in this form of the invention is connected with a source of compressed fluid and the conduit 16 is connected to `an enclosure wherein the pressure is to be maintained equal to the reference pressure. The enclosure may, for example, be a compartment or a duct wherein the pressure of the lluid normally would diminish due to leakage or use, and the device shown in FGURE 4 is utilized to maintain the pressure in the enciosure equal to the reference pressure.

in operation, chamber 1S is subjected at all times to the reference pressure which is introduced through the conduit 6i). When the pressure of the fluid in the enclosure wherein the pressure is to be maintained falls below the pressure of the reference pressure in chamber 15, the resultant reduction in pressure in chamber will create a pressure differential across the movable wall l2 and cause the wall to move toward the chamber I4. The convolution 39 will then uncover the ends 4l of the passages 4d and lluid will ow from the pressure source through the chamber 3l and the passages 4t) into the chamber 14 and thence to the enclosure. When the pressure in the enclosure, and hence chamber i4, becomes equal to the reference pressure in chamber i5, the movable wall 12 will be centered and convolution 3d will seal the ends il of the passages d@ and shut oi the flow of iiuid to the enclosure.

As noted above, the arcuate convolutions T29 and 301 are made equal in area so that the forces of the high pressure inlet suppiy acting on the convolutions are balanced.

I claim:

l. A fluid flow regulating device comprising: a body having a rst chamber adapted for connection to a point of huid demand and a second chamber adapted for connection to a reference pressure; a pressure responsive movable wall in said body exposed on one side to the pressure in said rst chamber and on the other side to said reference pressure, said movable wall having lexible means secured to said body and forming a peripheral chamber disposed to be connected with a source of iluid under pressure; passage means for conducting said fluid under pressure to said first chamber, said flexible means occluding said passage means under conditions of zero demand, the exible means being disposed to unblock said passage means in response to a reduction in the pressure in said rst chamber below the pressure of said reference pressure; and a valve member carried by and normally closing an opening in said movable wall connecting said first chamber with said second chamber, said valve member being movable toward an open position when the pressure in said first chamber exceeds the reference pressure.

2. A fluid flow regulating device comprising: a body having a chamber adapted for connection to a point of lluid demand; a pressure responsive movable wall forming one side of said chamber, one side of said movable wall being exposed to the pressure in said chamber, the other side being exposed to the pressure of the surrounding uid medium, `said movable wall having exible means secured to said body and forming a peripheral cham-ber disposed to be connected with a source of fluid under pressure; passage means for conducting said fluid under f pressure to said chamber, said flexible means occluding said passage means under conditions of zero demand, the exible means being disposed to unblock said passage means in response to a reduction in the pressure in said chamber below the pressure of said surrounding uid medium; and a valve member carried by and normally closing an opening in said movable wall connecting said chamber with the surrounding fluid medium, said valve member being movable toward an open position when the pressure in said chamber exceeds the pressure of the surrounding uid medium.

3. A ytiuid flow regulating device comprising: a body having a chamber adapted for connection to a point of fluid demand; a pressure responsive movable wall forming one side of said chamber, one side of said movable wall being exposed to the pressure in said chamber, the `other side being exposed to the pressure of the surrounding iluid medium, said movable wall having flexible means secured to said body and forming a peripheral chamber disposed to be connected with a source of liuid under pressure; a plurality of passages disposed in said movable wall for conducting said iluid under pressure to said chamber, said exible means occluding one end of said passages under conditions of zero demand, the flexible means being disposed `to unblock said passages in response to a reduction in the pressure in said chamber below the pressure of said surrounding uid medium; and a valve member carried by and normally closing an opening in said movable wall connecting said chamber with the surrounding uid medium, said valve member being movable toward an open position when the pressure in said chamber exceeds the pressure of the surrounding uid medium.

4. A tluid flow regulating device comprising: a body having a chamber adapted for connection to a point of lluid demand; a pressure responsive movable wall forming one side of said chamber, said movable wall having a rigid central portion and a pair of flexible member forming a peripheral chamber secured to said body and disposed to be connected with a source of iiuid under pressure, the movable wall being exposed on one side to the pressure in said chamber and on the `other side to the pressure of the surrounding uid medium; a plurality of passages disposed in the rigid central portion of said movable wall for conducting said fluid under pressure to said chamber, one of said flexible members occluding one end of said passages under conditions of zero demand, the said one flexible member being disposed to unblock said passages in response to a reduction in the pressure in said chamber below the pressure of said surrounding iluid medium; and a valve member carried by and normally closing an opening in said movable wall connecting said chamber with the surrounding uid medium, said valve member being movable toward an open position when the pressure in said chamber exceeds the pressure of the surrounding Huid medium.

5. A iiuid flow regulating device comprising: a body having a chamber adapted for connection to a point of uid demand; a pressure responsive movable wall forming one side of said chamber, one side of said movable wall being exposed to the pressure in said chamber, the other side -being exposed to the pressure of the surrounding iluid medium, said movable wall having a rigid central portion and a pair of tlexible annular members having oppositely disposed convoluted portions secured to said body and forming a peripheral chamber disposed to be connected with a source of fluid under pressure, the convoluted portions of said flexible members being equal in area and arranged so that the forces of the fluid in the peripheral chamber are balanced; a plurality of passages disposed in the rigid central portion of said movable wall for conducting said uid under pressure to said chamber, one of said flexible members occluding one end of said passages under conditions of zero demand, the said one exible member being disposed to unblock said passages in response to a reduction in the pressure in said chamber below the pressure of the surrounding uid medium, and a valve member carried by and normally closing an opening in said movable wall connecting said chamber with the surrounding tluid medium, said valve member being movable toward an open position when the pressure in said chamber exceeds the pressure of the surrounding uid medium.

6. A uid flow regulating device comprising: a body having a iirst chamber adapted for connection to a point of uid demand and a second chamber adapted for connection with a reference pressure; a pressure responsive movable wall separating said chambers and operating in response to changes in the differential of pressures in said chambers, said movable wall having a rigid central portion and exible means secured to said body and forming a peripheral chamber disposed to be connected with a source of fluid under pressure; and a plurality of passages disposed in the rigid central portion of said movable wall for conducting said huid under pressure to said iirst chamber, said ilexible means occluding said passages under conditions of zero demand, the said exible means being disposed to unblock said passages in response to a reduction in the pressure in said first chamber below the reference pressure in said second chamber.

7. A fluid flow regulating device comprising: a body having a iirst chamber adapted for connection to a point of fluid demand and a second chamber adapted for connection with a reference pressure; a pressure responsive movable wall separating said chambers and operating in response to changes in the diferential of pressures in said chambers, said movable wall having a rigid central portion and a pair of flexible annular members having oppositely disposed convoluted portions, said tlexible members being secured to said body and forming a peripheral chamber disposed to be connected with a source of iluid under pressure, the convoluted portions being equal in area and arranged so that the forces of the iluid in the peripheral chamber are balanced; and a plurality of passages disposed in the rigid central portion of said movable wall for conducting said fluid under pressure to said rst chamber, said convoluted portions occluding said passages under conditions of zero demand, the said convoluted portions being disposed to unblock said passages in response to a reduction in the pressure in said first chamber below the reference pressure in said second chamber.

8. A Huid ilow regulating device comprising: a body having a chamber adapted for connection to a point of fluid demand; a pressure responsive movable Wall formlng one side of said chamber, one side of said movable Wall being exposed to the pressure in said chamber, the cther side being exposed to the pressure of the surroundlng medium; and passage means in said movable wall for connecting said chamber with a source of high pressure luid, said movable wall including with said passage means for controlling flow of fluid from said high pressure source to said chamber, said flexible means having oppositely disposed convoluted portions proportioned and arranged so that the forces created by the high pressure iluid are balanced.

9. A fluid flow regulating device comprising: a body having a rst chamber adapted for connection to a point of luid demand and a second chamber adapted for connection with a reference pressure; a pressure responsive movable wall separating said chambers and modulating in response to changes in the differential of pressures in said chambers; irst passage means in said movable Wall for connecting said first chamber with a source of high pressure Huid; second passage means in said movable wall for connecting said rst chamber with said second chamber; and occluding means including flexible rolling diaphragms disposed between said movable wall and said body and arranged to control ow of fluid through said rst and said second passage means.

10. A uid flow regulating device comprising: a body having a rst chamber adapted for connection to a point of fluid demand and a second chamber adapted for connection with a reference pressure; a pressure responsive movable Wall separating said chambers and responsive to changes in the differential of pressures in said chambers; first passage means in said movable Wall for connecting said first chamber with a source of high pressure fluid; second passage means in said movable wall -for connecting said first chamber with said second chamber; and occluding means including flexible rolling diaphragms disflexible means co-acting- References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,121,312 Bicknell June 21, 1938 2,490,113 Champbell Dec. 6, 1949 *2,663,121 Ramsey Dec. 22, 1953 2,679,863 Tucker June 1, 1954 

